Ecuador: from Cacao to Charles Darwin
It may be one of Latin America’s smallest nations, but it’s safe to say that Ecuador has it all. Between Spanish colonial architecture, cobbled streets, Andean villages, verdant Amazon rainforest, volcanic landscapes, exotic wildlife and white sandy shores, a stellar array of spectacles await those who visit this compact gem.
Where to go in Ecuador
Situated high in the Andean foothills, Ecuador’s capital Quito is a one stop shop for an abundance of culture, history, art, food, and music – the more you explore, the more you’ll discover. The city’s Centro Histórico features perfectly preserved colonial buildings, palm-lined plazas, and churches, convents and chapels built by indigenous artisans centuries ago. Art lovers should visit the Museo Nacional and Oswaldo Guayasamín’s Capilla del Hombre, a poignant tribute to humankind and one of Latin America’s most significant artworks. Freshly cooked, authentic cuisine can be found in the evening stalls at the Parque de las Tripas in La Floresta, and for a sweet treat, Ecuador is famed for the sustainable local practices which transform its gold mine of native cacao beans into velvety smooth chocolate.
What to do in Ecuador
For the avid adventurer, Ecuador’s national parks are paradise. Keen hikers will enjoy Cotopaxi National Park, where some of its fantastic walking trails gradually ascend to border the edge of the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano summit, which stands as Ecuador’s second highest peak at 5,897 meters. A number of traditional haciendas also offer horseback riding through the park’s Andean grassland, an exciting challenge for all the family. Another must-see, Yasuní National Park is an extraordinary area of unspoiled, protected rainforest, where you can expect to set eyes on a medley of exotic creatures found nowhere else on earth.
Traveling to the Galápagos Islands
1,000 kilometres off Ecuador’s west coast lie the Galápagos Islands, which transformed our understanding of life on earth in the nineteenth century when Charles Darwin visited to research his theory of evolution. Their dramatic volcanic terrain can feel otherworldly, more like the moon than earth at times – but rest assured our expert guide, Juan Carlos, will show you this magical archipelago from perspectives even Darwin himself would have envied. On Bartholomew Island, snorkel alongside penguins and sea lions. Other swimming spots like Los Túneles are teeming with green sea turtles, manta rays, and seahorses. On land, the blazing afternoon sun doesn’t bother prehistoric yellow iguanas and giant tortoises, and neither do human onlookers; they go about their daily business casually, allowing for rare close encounters you won’t forget in a hurry.
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